case studies paper - 4 ias express – a monthly current ... · case studies paper - 4 ias express...

Case Studies Paper - 4

IAS Express – a monthly current affairs booklet

RajasirIAS.com 9884 554 654 General Studies

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

1. A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a

prestigious chemical industry. She likes the

work. The salary is also good. However, after

a few months she accidentally discovers that a

highly toxic waste is being secretly discharged

into a river nearby. This is causing health

problems to the villagers downstream who

depend on the river for their water needs. She

is perturbed and mentions her concern to her

colleagues who have been with the company

for longer periods. They advise her to keep

quite as anyone who mentions the topic is

summarily dismissed. She cannot risk losing

her job as she is the sole bread-winner for her

family and has to support her ailing parents

and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her

seniors are keeping quiet, why should she

stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks

her to do something to save the river and the

people who depend upon it. At heart she

feels that the advice of silence given by her

friends is not correct though she cannot give

reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise

person and seeks your advice.

(a) What arguments can you advance to show

her that keeping quiet is not morally right?

(b) What course of action would you advise

her to adopt and why?. [250 words].Answer:-Issues and values involvedi. River water as the common good of

society.

ii. Right to health of Villagers.

iii. Work culture and Organisational value of

chemical industry.

iv.Value of courage of Engineering graduate.

v. Ethical dilemma of choosing between

justice to villagers and rights of her family.

vi.Ethical dilemma of choosing between

integrity and social well being.

vii. Environmental ethics viii. Professionalism

and responsibility of chemical industry

towards society at large.

a) Arguments to convince her thatkeeping quiet is not morally right:• Under such situations, a person can either

adapt to the work culture or take the

responsibility to change it. Acting against

wrong is in itself morally uplifting.

• By keeping quiet she is failing to deliver

justice to villagers which she can. Benefits

are taken by the industry whereas burden

will fall upon the villagers.

• She is also putting the future of her

company in jeopardy. In short term, profits

will be gained by the company. But in long

term the news may get leaked to the

concerned government authorities, leading

to huge negative repercussions for all

stakeholders.

• She is also not setting right example for

other colleagues at work place. Doing

wrong and accepting the wrong are equally

punishable.

• She can show some courage and make her

family proud. It will also increase her

respect at work place.

• She will be guilty in her own court of

conscience and this will create inner

dissonance and guilt. For her own




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2

emotional and mental well-being, she

should not remain silent.

• Being a fresh graduate there is no dearth of

opportunity for her. Also integrity is non-

negotiable and non- selective. Jobs will

come and go but integrity once lost is

difficult to regain.

b) Advise to her• Do some ground research and come up

with concrete report about number of

people getting affected and the potential

harm caused to health. This will increase

her persuasion power and she will be taken

seriously.

• Take the report to her immediate boss and

invoke his/her conscience. If he doesn’t

listen then take it to senior management.

• Remind the company of corporate social

responsibility and responsibility towards

society.

• Trust and faith of people is required for

the long term interest of the company.

Once it is lost then sale of company will

be plummeted.

• Present a case study where companies lost

business due to loss of confidence of

people.

• Present the pertinent environmental laws

and punishment for violation to instil fear

as deterrent.

• If still the company doesn’t agree to treat

the waste then she must leave the job,

complaint to the concerned authority and

create awareness among people. She must

not be worried about her job as even if

continues with it, she will never achieve

happiness and satisfaction.

2. ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company

having diversified business activities with a

huge shareholder base. The company is

continuously expanding and generating

employment. The company, in its expansion

and diversification programme, decides to

establish a new plant at Vikaspuri, an area

which is underdeveloped. The new plant is

designed to use energy efficient technology

that will help the company to save production

cost by 20%. The company’s decision goes

well with the Government policy of attracting

investment to develop such underdeveloped

regions. The Government has also

announced tax holiday for five years for the

companies that invest in underdeveloped

areas. However, the new plant may bring

chaos for the inhabitants of Vikaspuri region

which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant

may result in increased cost of living, aliens

migrating to the region, disturbing the social

and economic order. The company sensing

the possible protest tried to educate the

people of Vikaspuri region and public in

general that how its Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR) policy would help

overcome the likely difficulties of the

residents of Vikaspuri region. In spite of this

the protests begin and some of the residents

decided to approach the judiciary as their plea

before the Government did not yield any

result.

(a) Identify the issues involved in the case.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

(b) What can be suggested to satisfy the

company’s goal and to address the residents’

concerns?. [250 words].Answer:-a) Issues involved in the case• Negative attitude of people towards

development projects and change.

• Communication gap between corporate,

government and local people which leads

to protest and stalling of project.

• Effort of government to develop

underdeveloped regions through

developmental projects.

• Lack of involvement of locals in clearance

of projects.

• Need for widening the concept of

development which is mostly seen in terms

of only economic activity.

• Historical legacy of poor relations and

apathy among society, government and

private sector.

• Consciousness of people regarding social

structure and opposition against migrants.

• Poor level of tolerance and trust among

culturally diverse people.

• Bad precedents of non-inclusive

development where local people are

deprived from the fruits of growth and

natural resources.

b) Companies goal and residents concerncan be harmonized in following ways:1. Various persuasion techniques have to be

used to remove the trust deficit and

negative attitude of people:

• Success stories of development of

backward region due to coming of

industries have to be narrated to people in

the way that is easy to understand and

draw conclusion.

• Since the project is supported by

government, bureaucrats and local M.P’s,

MLA’s and Panchayat leaders can use

emotional intelligence to understand the

concern of people and take steps to resolve

them.

• Media can be effectively used to propagate

the positive message and importance of the

project.

2. The company must use CSR fund and

begin the social developmental work and

develop some social capital.

3. The company can help in execution of

various skill development projects run by

government there by developing capacity

among locals for them to be less fearful of

outsiders or changing socio-economic

dynamics.

4. Government must appoint special officer

to listen to the grievances of people. This

will avoid the project getting delayed due

to litigation and the region being denied

the opportunity for development.

5. A more participative and transparent

approach on part of company is required.

A group of local residents chosen by

people themselves can be given a position

in company. They can have the power to

be part of decision making and voting on

local issues.

3. In our country, the migration of rural people




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

to towns and cities is increasing drastically.

This is causing serious problems both in the

rural as well as in the urban areas. In fact,

things are becoming really unmanageable.

Can you analyze this problem in detail and

indicate not only the socio-economic but also

the emotional and attitudinal factors

responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly

bring out why: (a) Educated rural youth are

trying to shift to urban areas; (b) Landless

poor people are migrating to urban slums; (c)

Even some farmers are selling off their land

and trying to settle in urban areas taking up

petty jobs. What feasible steps can you

suggest which will be effective in controlling

this serious problem of our country?. [250words].AnswerAnswer: Educated rural youth is shifting to

get jobs which are not available in the rural

areas. The condition of landless is worse than

the urban labourers in urban slums; the

growing fragmentation of land holding has

made tilling of the land unviable forcing

marginal landholders to sell their lands. It is

more of a push factor than pull factor for lack

of opportunities in rural areas. By 2030,

India’s urban population is set to reach 590

million, an addition of approximately 300

million to India’s current urban population.

Much of this growth will be due to rural-

urban migration.

1. The economy efficiency of first sector

(agri- culture) should be improved and

there is a need to develop system who can

increase the income of farmers. The

excessive growth of tertiary sector and its

effect on economic growth, employment

and sustainability of the system has

become a matter of concern.

2. Eco-tourism in the rural areas should be

encouraged and intensified to create

employment in the rural and semi-rural

areas.

3. To streamline rural infrastructure especially

the roads and railway network.

4. If the digital divide is tackled properly then

most of the bottlenecks like illiteracy, lack

of skills, infrastructures, and investment in

rural areas could be improved.

5. According to the CAG, the irregularities in

MNREGA pertain to diversion of funds,

implementation of impermissible works

and deficiencies in maintenance of records.

Therefore, the functioning of MNREGA

should be improved.

4. Land needed for mining, dams and other

large-scale projects is acquired mostly from

Adivasis, hill dwellers, and rural communities.

The displaced persons are paid monetary

compensation as per the legal provisions.

However, the payment I often tardy. In any

case, it cannot sustain the displaced families

for long. These people do not possess

marketable skills to engage in some other

occupation. They end up as low paid migrant

labourers. Moreover, their traditional ways of

community living are destroyed. Thus, the

benefits of development go to industries,

industrialists and urban communities whereas




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

the costs are passed on these poor helpless

people. This unjust distribution of costs and

benefits is unethical.

Suppose you have been entrusted with the

task of drafting a better compensation-cum-

rehabilitation-policy for such displaced

persons, how would you approach the

problem and what would be the mail

elements of your suggested policy?. [250words].Answer:-The case presents the difficulty and necessity

of balancing economic and social

development. Following are major issues and

values which must be taken into account

while reaching a plausible solution:

• Virtues of empathy and compassion for

marginalised and those who suffer

displacement.

• Proper rehabilitation and resettlement.

• Social justice – the benefit and burden

must be shared equally in society.

• Inclusive development

• Social capital as a common good

• Right to dignified life for those who suffer

for national development.

My approach• To make social justice embedded in

economic activity and development

project.

• There should be holistic rehabilitation and

resettlement program rather than just

monetary compensation.

• To ensure that living standard of displaced

people do not deteriorate.

• Local tradition and culture must be given

due respect and effort must be made to

preserve them. Main element of the policy

• Mandatory social impact assessment along

with environment impact assessment.

Local people must be integrated with the

development which will happen through

proposed project.

• Rehabilitation and resettlement process

must begin before the permission for the

project is granted.

• Company must use corporate social

responsibility fund to rehabilitation and

resettlement process.

• Skill development programs like “Hunar Se

Rojgar”, “SeekhoAurKamao”, Skill India

etc has to be run for capacity building and

increasing coping capability.

• People who face displacement must be

provided all government facilities like PDS

ration, Bank accounts, Aadhar number

etc. They must be protected from any kind

of discrimination in their new home.

• They must be shown ways and means for

employment opportunity.

• Social integration at new place must be

ensured.

• Government and company must keep

close contact with the migrants to help

them with their further problems and to

give them a “sense of belongingness”.

Displacement may become inevitable

sometime for economic development but

we need to ensure than the process

remains fair, just and inclusive.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

5. Now-a-days, there is an increasing thrust on

economic development all around the globe.

At the same time, there is also an increasing

concern about environmental degradation

caused by development. Many a time, we face

a direct conflict between developmental

activity and environmental quality. It is

neither feasible to stop or curtail the

development process, nor it is advisable to

keep degrading the environment, as it

threatens our very survival. Discuss some

feasible strategies which could be adopted to

eliminate this conflict and which could lead to

sustainable development. [250 words].Answer:

To me development and ecology is the

most compatible form of relationship. There

is no contradiction at all. The ecology permits

the human being to modify them and sustain

their lives in such a manner that it continues

to shape again; again and again and forms a

cycle.

1. There is an immediate need to review the

overall strategy and programmes for the

development of tribal areas to plug

loopholes and to work out more viable

livelihood strategies.

2. Tribal people alienated from land should

be rehabilitated through the process of

afforestation.

3. The forest policies were made so

cumbersome and it was beyond the

understanding of both the implementor as

well as the tribals. Once again the

protracted laws made the purpose defeated

and a lot of intermediaries took undue

advantage of it. Therefore, make forest

laws very clear, short and amenable to

common people.

4. To me, the ecology is not merely confined

to leaves, trees and plants, water bodies,

etc., but those who preserve them matters.

To me, if the condition of the tribal

deteriorates then the condition of ecology

is bound to deteriorate. We cannot afford

to divorce the tribals from the forests and

land tillers from the land and fishermen

from the sea.

5. Proper survey of the typography and

impact of industries over its ecology must

be made.

6. Prudent application of science and

technology in driving transformation

towards sustainable development.

7. The benefits of Panchayats Extension to

Schedule Areas (PESA) were never

capitalized even after 17 years. It should be

capitalized at the optimum level.

6. Rameshwar successfully cleared the

prestigious civil services examination and was

excited about the opportunity that he would

get through the civil services to serve the

country. However, soon after joining the

services, he realized that things are not as rosy

as he had imagined. He found a number of

malpractices prevailing in the department

assigned to him. For example, funds under

various schemes and grants were being

misappropriated. The official facilities were

frequently being used for personal needs by




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7

the officers and staff. After some time, he

noticed that the process of recruiting the staff

was also not up to the mark. Prospective

candidates were required to write an

examination in which a lot of cheating was

going on. Some candidates were provided

external help in the examination. Rameshwar

brought these incidents to the notice of his

seniors. However, he was advised to keep his

eyes, ears and mouth shut and ignore all these

things which were taking place with the

connivance of the higher-ups. Rameshwar felt

highly disillusioned and uncomfortable. He

comes to you seeking your advice. Indicate

various options that you think are available in

this situation. How would you help him to

evaluate these options and choose the most

appropriate path to be adopted? [250 words].AnswerTo me only they can sustain such pressure

who are above their need and greed, above

their feelings, desires, principles, aspirations

and even oneself. A civil servant has to

balance everything. He has to balance a

moment when he feels that he has power to

do something but the very next moment he

will be forced to realize that he has no power

to do so; when he tries to punish his

subordinate by transferring him, he himself

gets transferred; when he wants to implement

the welfare and development schemes, he

finds that the vested interests dominate and

consume the fund; when he is emotionally

charged, he is told to be neutral. Let me first

define the meaning and scope of the concept

of accepting challenge. It is an attitude to

pursue the objectivity of the conceived goal

even against all odds and powered by will

power and engineered by confidence.

A person takes challenge to contribute

positively and constructively to the society in

which he lives and survives. In doing so, one

has to forget every kind of trouble or any

kind of convenience. You have to put

yourself beyond pale of discomfort and

grievances. In other words, you cannot

complain to any one; you cannot blame

anyone. You are the trend-setter and you

have to leave such examples to be followed

by others. If you fail, the society is bound to

suffer. You have to carry the expectations and

aspirations of the entire society.

Under such a situation, there is only one

option: stay there, choose the necessary lesser

evil and make a strategy to deal with them

and be prepared to face ups and downs with

an evolutionary and progressive approach. He

should take written action against the

cheating and write the whole issue with

audio-video evi- dences to his seniors and

also seek their instructions in written form.

And wait for their instructions.

7. Saraswati was a successful IT professional in

USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doing

something for the country she returned to

India. Together with some other like-minded

friends, she formed an NGO to build a

school for a poor rural community.

The objective of the school was to provide

the best quality modern education at a




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

nominal cost. She soon discovered that she

has to seek permission from a number of

Governments agencies. The rules and

procedures were quite confusing and

cumbersome. What frustrated her most was

the delays, callous attitude of officials and

constant demand of bribes. Her experience

and the experience of many others like her

has deterred people from taking up social

service projects.

A measure of Government control over

voluntary social work is necessary. But it

should not be exercised in a coercive or

corrupt manner. What measures can you

suggest to ensure that due control is exercised

but well meaning, honest NGO efforts are

not thwarted?. [250 words].Answer:-The case presents the importance of NGO’s

in social development and also difficulty in

smooth functioning of even well-meaning

NGO’s. Following are other issues and values

involved in the case:

• Value of sacrifice and courage in Saraswati

to leave a successful career in USA.

• Empathy and compassion for poor.

• Role of NGO in taking forward the Right

to Education in rural areas.

• Bureaucratic layers in decision making.

• Poor work culture at government officials.

• Absence of respect of law and demand for

bribe.

• Issue of good governance, responsiveness,

quick clearance and maintaining the

enthusiasm of NGO’s in social sector

initiative.

• Right of government to monitor the

functioning of NGO’s.

• Unethical conduct on part on many NGOs

leading to strict control by government.

Following steps must be taken to ensure

that due control is exercised by the

government over NGO’s and at the same

time well-meaning and honest NGO’s are

not thwarted:

• The trust deficit between government and

NGO’s must be removed. This would be

the first step in making the functioning of

NGO’s easier. This can be done by

transparency and proactive declaration of

NGO’s work by themselves.

• A voluntary acceptance of a code of ethics

by all NGOs.

• Involvement of local people in NGOs

functioning.

• Voluntary disclosure of funding and work

done in every financial year by NGOs.

• Introducing the concept like “Right to

clearance” for NGO’s as well as they play

very important role in social sector. The

prior investigation and analysis regarding

NGO’s work must be completed in time

bound manner.

• Work culture in government offices must

be improved. Official must be made more

responsive, objective, and competent.

• Government officials must be attached

with masses with the string of empathy and

compassion. This will enable them to be

more responsive to social sector initiatives.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

• Strict implementation of anti-corruption

laws and check on demand for bribes.

Grievance redressal mechanism against

such cases.

• Use of ICT to tract the functioning of

NGO’s by feedback from ground to

obviate the detailed and delayed scrutiny of

NGO’s proposal and yet keep due control.

8. Suppose one of your close friends, who is

also aspiring for civil services, comes to you

for discussing some of the issues related to

ethical conduct in public service. He raises

the following points : (i) In the present times,

when unethical environment is quite

prevalent, individual attempts to stick to

ethical principles may cause a lot of problems

in one’s career. It may also cause hardship to

the family members as well as risk to one’s

life. Why should we not be pragmatic and

follow the path of least resis- tance, and be

happy with doing whatever good we can?.

(ii) When so many people are adopting wrong

means and are grossly harming the system,

what difference would it make if only a small

minority tries to be ethical? They are going to

be rather ineffective and are bound to get

frustrated.

(iii) If we become fussy about ethical

considerations, will it not hamper the

economic progress of our country? After all,

in the present age of high competition, we

cannot afford to be left behind in the race of

development.

(iv) It is understandable that we should not

get involved in grossly unethical practices, but

giving and accepting small gratifications and

doing small favours increases everybody’s

motivation. It also makes the system more

efficient. What is wrong in adopting such

practices?

Critically analyze the above viewpoints. On

the basis of this analysis, what will be your

advice to your friend? [250 words].Answer:

To some extent, even our society-pressure

even forces civil servants to fail

misunderstand glorious difference between

means and ends. They conceive getting into

the civil services as an end whereas it is just a

proper means to do something good in the

interest of the nation and the people in

general. It sets forth a high profile legitimate

platform to perform and leave a mark behind.

It gives an extraordinary opportunity. The

society suffers when these extraordinary

powers fall into the hands of ordinary people,

whose behavioural and cognitive wavelength

is not commensurate with the authority and

the responsibility associated. In life nothing

comes as a free lunch. You have to pay a

price for everything you get. Responsibility

and accountability is the price for wielding

this legitimate power. So, it is the foremost

challenge to comprehend that a civil servant

should not expect the booty of power free of

cost, but as and when he asks it for free then

the whole society pays for it on his behalf.

Unfortunately, it is a heavy amount.

The fate of the system and society depends

on the level of the guts, commitment and the




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10

conviction of the person who has accepted

the challenge to do something beyond him.

Don’t re- gret about your decision; about

your honesty; about your stand. Relish it. I

am sure this will give you pleasure of a

heaven even in moments of greatest despair

and discomfort. Either accept the challenge

or be a part of the hell.

9. Suppose you are an officer in-charge if

implementing a social service scheme to

provide support to old and destitute women.

An old an illiterate woman comes to you to

avail the benefits of the scheme. However,

she has no documents to show that she fulfils

the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her

and listening to her you feel that she certainly

needs support. Your enquiries also show that

she is really destitute and living in a pitiable

condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to

do. Putting her under the scheme without

necessary documents would clearly be

violation of rules. But denying her the

support would be cruel and inhuman.

(a) Can you think of a rational way to resolve

this dilemma?

(b) Give your reasons for it. [250 words].Answer:-This case presents the difficulty in

implementing socially important schemes

without any exclusion. Following are other

important issues and values involved:

• Objectivity in public service

• Rule of law and work culture

• Virtues of empathy and compassion for

poor and destitute.

• Right of genuine beneficiaries to avail

social service schemes.

• Effectiveness and inclusiveness of

government schemes.

• Organisational and personal value conflict.

a) The dilemma is to maintain rule of law

and organisational value and work culture

without compromising on the personal value

of empathy and compassion for the poor and

destitute.

To resolve the dilemma I will follow the

rule for the scheme. As per the rule old lady is

not eligible for the scheme. Rules are made

with proper reasoning and for greater good of

society. It provides legitimacy and credibility

of government bodies. Understanding this

will help me resolve my dilemma. However

on personal level I will also try to preserve my

own values to avoid any crisis of conscience

and inner dissonance. I will help the old lady

with some money for temporary respite and

take adequate step to bring her under the fold

of beneficiary of the scheme. This will ensure

consonance between organisational and

personal values.

b) Objectivity is considered as cardinal value

of civil servant. This helps in equal and

impartial treatment of all. This helps in not

allowing any sense of relative deprivation to

creep in. This is why following the rule can

help in resolving ethical dilemma. It is the

objectivity which makes bureaucracy legal and

rational. Making exceptions can set wrong

precedent for employees and opportunity for

the corrupt. Further the problem of




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11

exclusion has to be dealt with holistically. The

issue of documentation has to be resolved for

all of the likes of the old lady. Error in law

must be rectified as laws are made for men;

men are not made for laws. They are the

means to achieve the ends of equality. For

this systemic change is required.

Discretionary approval of individual for the

scheme will create more problems of error,

nepotism and corruption.

10. Suppose you are the CEO of a company that

manufactures specialized electronic

equipment used by a government department.

You have submitted your bid for the supply

of this equipment to the department. Both

the quality and cost of your offer are better

than those of the competitors. Yet the

concerned officer is demanding a hefty bribe

for approving the tender. Getting the order is

important both for you and for your

company. Not getting the order would mean

closing a production line. It may also affect

your own career. However, as a value-

conscious person, you do not want to give

bribe. Valid arguments can be advanced both

for giving the bribe and getting the order, and

for refusing to pay the bribe and risking the

loss of the order. What those arguments

could be? Could there be any better way to

get out of this dilemma? If so outline the

main elements of this third way, pointing out

its merits. [250 words].AnswerBalancing our individual emotions with an

innate understanding of others’ emotions, for

the betterment of the overall emotional

landscape of family, societal and

administrative institutions is the ultimate basis

and utility of Emotional Intelligence.

A balanced and pragmatic approach would be

needed because the stake is very high ranging

from personal to organisational. It is not a

simple exercise of choosing good over evil,

but between two evils. So, I would choose the

lesser evil in the hope of saving my

organisation, protecting my job and others

job too by directly avoiding confrontation

with the seniors and tender management. I

will thus, bribe the tender management and

try to prevent the imminent crisis of the

company. But I will firmly and strongly

communicate my sincere disliking about the

bribing and other illicit practices. I will send a

clear cut message that from next time the

same thing wouldn’t be done. In the

meantime, I will do all the home work at two

levels: (a) further improvement of the quality

of the product and (b) having a direct

communication with top most senior of the

tender management. I shall endeavour to

understand his motivations and surrounding

environment that might have compelled them

to resort to cheating, and then systematically

either remove those inhibitors to ethical

conduct or change his opinion in favour of

perseverance and ethical conduct. I need to

better detect and identify problems before

they snowball into bigger problems, following

the principle of ‘prevention is better than

cure’, which is equally applicable for any




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12

administrative philosophy.

11. You are a no-nonsense, honest officer. You

have been transferred to a remote district to

head a department that is notorious for its

inefficiency and callousness. You find that the

main cause of the poor state of affairs is the

indiscipline of a section of employees. They

do not work themselves and also disrupt the

working of others. You first warned the

troublemakers to mend their ways or else face

disciplinary action. When the warning had

little effect, you issued a show cause notice to

the ringleaders. As a retaliatory measure,

these troublemakers instigated a woman

employee amongst them to file a complaint of

sexual harassment against you with the

Women’s Commission. The Commission

promptly seeks your explanation. The matter

is also publicized in the media to embarrass

you further. Some of the options to handle

this situation could be as follows : (i) Give

your explanation to the Commission and go

soft on the disciplinary action. (ii) Ignore the

Commission and proceed firmly with the

disciplinary action. (iii) Brief your higher-ups,

seek directions from them and act

accordingly. Suggest any other possible

option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest

the best course of action, giving your reasons

for it. [250 words].AnswerAn evaluation of the various options available

to me, follows:-

1. Option 1- Give your explanation to the

Commission and go soft on the disciplinary

action

Merits Demerits

Preventing personal

harm by clarifying

facts in the case to

the commission

Foregoing duty to

maintain departmental

efficiency by going soft

on disciplinary action

Responding to call

of authority of the

Commission;

exhibiting a sense

of transparency and

accountability

Giving in to wrong

means used by the

section of employees to

thwart the enquiry

Maintaining a good

public image in

media

Fulfilling moral

responsibility of

checking wrongdoing

Shows sensitivity

towards women

and women issues

Promoting the section

of employees to be

further more

indisciplined; would

lower the motivation

levels of other

employees

2. Ignore the commission and proceed firmly

with the disciplinary action

Merits Demerits

Doing duty to

maintain

departmental

efficiency by

continuing with the

departmental enquiry

Not responding to

public authority;

doesn’t exhibit sense

of transparency and

accountability




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13

Not giving in to

wrong means used by

the employees

Could cause great

personal harm

Fulfilling moral

responsibility of

checking wrongdoing

Good Image of public

servants not

maintained in media

Raising the

motivation levels of

other employees who

do their duty

No response to

Commission shows

insensitivity to women

issues

3. Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from

them and act accordingly

Merits Demerits

Ensuring effective

communication with seniors-

honouring lines of authority;

Shows less

initiative from

my side

will help seek their guidance

and experience in such

matters;

Caving in to

the pressure to

some extent

taking the seniors into

confidence on the matter

could prevent/reduce

personal harm later

4. Reply to the commission’s notice, brief

higher-ups about the incident and continue

disciplinary action

Merits Demerits

Preventing personal

harm by clarifying facts

in the case to the

commission

Could still lead to

personal harm as

the case of sexual

harassment may

cause emotional

stress to me and

my family; also

affect my career

records

Responding to call of

authority of the

Commission; exhibiting a

sense of transparency

and accountability;

Maintaining a good

public image in media;

Shows sensitivity

towards women and

women issues

Ensuring effective

communication with

seniors- honouring lines

of authority; will help

seek their guidance and

experience in such

matters; taking the

seniors into confidence

on the matter could

prevent/reduce personal

harm later

Doing duty to maintain

departmental efficiency

by continuing with the

departmental enquiry;

Not giving in to wrong

means used by the

employees; Fulfilling




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14

moral responsibility of

checking wrongdoing

Raising the motivation

levels of other employees

who do their duty

Hence, Option 4 is the most holistic course

of action with least demerits. It is through

this option that I can fulfil all my duty

obligations, respond to authority of the

Commission, take seniors into confidence as

well as minimise personal harm.

12. You are a young, aspiring and sincere

employee in a Government office working as

an assistant to the director of your

department. Since you have joined recently,

you have to learn and progress. Luckily your

superior is very kind and ready to train you

for your job. He is a very intelligent and well-

informed person having knowledge of

various departments. In short, you respect

your boss and are looking forward to learn a

lot from him.

Since you have a good tuning with the boss,

he started depending on you. One day due to

ill health he invited you at his place for

finishing some urgent work.

You reached his house and before you could

ring the bell you heard shouting noises. You

waited for a while. After entering the house

the boss greeted you and explained the work.

But you were constantly disturbed by the

crying of a woman. At last, you inquired with

the boss but his answer did not satisfy you.

Next day, you were compelled to inquire

further in the office and found out that his

behavior is very bad at home with his wife.

He also beats up his wife. His wife is not well

educated and is simple woman in comparison

to her husband. You see that though your

boss is a nice person in the office, he is

engaged in domestic violence at home.

In such a situation, you are left with the

following options. Analyse each option with

its consequences.

(a) Just ignore thinking about it because it is

their personal matter.

(b) Report the case to the appropriate

authority.

(c) Your own innovative approach toward the

situation. [250 words].Answer:-In this case there is lack of integrity in the

superior as his attitude and behaviour in

public life and private life is different.

Following are other issues and values

involved in the case:

• My personal integrity vs. My social well

being

• Good work culture at work place.

• Right of a women to be treated with

dignity and respect.

• Empathy and compassion for vulnerable

women.

• Courage to bring justice against domestic

violence.

• Balancing personal interest at office with

moral responsibility of checking Boss’s

behaviour at home.

a) Just ignore thinking about it because it is




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15

their personal matter. Ignoring the matter will

avoid putting my boss in an embarrassing

situation in front of me and others. It will

also not affect my relation with him and not

create any hurdle for me at work place. It will

help maintain the prevailing good work

culture at office. However I will be held

guilty in my own court of conscience. I lose

my integrity as I will not act as per my values

of empathy and compassion. Sense of guilt

may arise in me leading to inner dissonance

and crisis of conscience. Also justice to my

boss’s wife will not be done as my boss’s

behaviour will remain the same. My value of

courage will be compromised and this will

affect me all through my career, especially

when my boss knows that I can’t stand for

my own values. The incident will also create a

bad precedent for society in general.

b) Report the case to appropriate authority

This may act as deterrent and may change my

Boss behaviour at home. This will preserve

my value of courage, empathy and

compassion. I may also be able to safeguard

the rights of my boss’s wife. But there is no

surety that this will bring endogenous changes

in my boss. It may appear to be a short term

solution to the problem. Since my boss is

good in public relations, there is a hope that

with proper guidance, he may improve in his

personal relations. Complaint against him will

publicize the matter leading to great

embarrassment and also the degradation of

relations between me and my boss. So I

would not risk my relation with my boss

without surety of justice for his wife.

c) My innovative approach towards the

situation. Lasting effect can come when

change from within is brought in my boss

while maintaining his dignity. This will ensure

healthy and sustainable relation between him

and his wife. I will try following innovation

approach:

• I will narrate him some moral stories,

informally, at work place, to bring

attitudinal change in him.

• I will invite him for some movie with

persuasion power towards respecting

women and changing attitude towards

them.

• I will invite him at my own home with his

wife and show how well I treat my wife.

This may move his conscience as he is a

good person at work place.

• I will try to find some strength and

qualities in his wife which will make my

boss more appreciative of him.

13. You are heading a leading technicalinstitute of the country. The institute isplanning to convene an interview panelshortly under your chairmanship forselection of the post of professors. A fewdays before the interview, you get a callfrom the Personal Secretary (PS) of asenior government functionary seekingyour intervention in favor of the selectionof a close relative of the functionary forthis post. The PS also informs you that heis aware of the long pending and urgentproposal of our institute for grant of funds




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16

for modernization, which are awaiting thefunctionary's approval. He assures youthat he would get these proposals cleared.A. What are the options available to you?B. Evaluate each of these options andchoose the option which you wouldadopt, giving reasons. (250 words) 20marks.Answer(A) The various options available are-

1. Tell the senior of the wrongfulness of the

act, and try to persuade him.

2. Ask him for written instructions, as it is

against the procedure, and you would

require special permission do to the same.

3. Outrightly reject his claim and complaint

to his seniors.

4. Lodge a complaint against him.

Divulge the information as the builder has a

good quality service record.

(B) Since it is against the established

procedure, in no way can the information be

leaked. If the builder is really good, he would

automatically get the contract from the

government.

You should try to persuade the senior of the

unjust and unprofessional action that he is

suggesting. However, if the senior does not

change his mind, you should ask him to give

his written instructions for the mater, as

divulging the information to any particular

builder is against the established procedure,

and you would require the special written

orders of the senior to execute the command.

It is most probable that the senior would not

agree to give the written order, as he would

be aware of the illegal nature of these

directions.

Outrightly rejecting the directions of the

senior might offend him, for not complying

with his directions. However, in no case shall

the inappropriate act be done.

Lodging a complaint with the anti-corruption

cell might also prove ineffective, due to the

lack of evidence against the senior. Thus, the

most practical solution in this case would be

consult the superior authorities regarding the

matter, and reporting to them the details.

14. You are the Executive Director of anupcoming Infotech Company which ismaking a name for itself in the market.Mr. A, who is a star performer, is headingthe marketing team. In a short period ofone year, he has helped in doubling therevenues as well as creating a high brandequity for the company so much so thatyou are thinking of promoting him.However, you have been receivinginformation from many corners about hisattitude towards the female colleagues;particularly his habit of making loosecomments on women. In addition, heregularly sends indecent SMS’ to all theteam members including his femalecolleagues. One day, late in the evening,Mrs. X, who is one of Mr. A’s Teammembers, comes you visibly disturbed.She complains against the continuedmisconduct of Mr. A, who has beenmaking undesirable advances towards her




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17

and has even tried to touch herinappropriately in his cabin. She tendersher resignation and leaves your office.(a) What are the options available to you?(b) Evaluate each of these options andchoose the options you would adopt,giving reasons. (250 words) 20 marks.Answer(a) This is a very sensitive matter, and shall

be dealt with great responsibility. The various

legitimate options available are-

Option (1) Explain the female employee

about the credentials of Mr. A and ask her to

ignore the issue.

Option (2) call an urgent meeting about the

issue and take disciplinary action.

Option (3) immediately expel Mr. A for such

act.

Option (4) First, talk to Mrs. X and calm her,

as she is under a traumatic condition. And

assure her that a strict disciplinary action

would be taken at the earliest.

(b)

Option (1) might not be resorted as it would

be highly unethical to expect Mrs. X to forget

the issue. Issues of sexual harassment shall

not be ignored.

Option (2) might be considered, as no

decision can be taken arbitrarily, and proper

channels have to be followed. However,

given the exigency of the case, it is of an

urgent need to take some immediate actions,

while protecting the privacy of the lady

employee.

Option (3) might appear just, but might not

be the best course of action, because in an

organization decisions are made through

proper channels and procedures. Thus, while

there is no doubt that Mr. A shall be given

severe punishment for his offense, this shall

be done through organizational procedure.

The Option (4) is the most apt course of

action, as it addresses the immediate as well

as long-term needs. Since Mrs. X has faced an

assault, she is in a disturbed state. It is the

foremost duty of the head, to calm her, and

make her understand that justice would be

done. She shall also be assured that her

privacy would be protected. Further, the

perpetrator should be dealt strictly, as there

are multiple proved incidences of sexual

advances from his side. Thus, as the final

decision, Mr. A shall be expelled from

service, with an appropriate legal action

against him.

15. You are working as an ExecutiveEngineer in the construction cell of aMunicipal Corporation and are presentlyin-charge of the construction of a flyover.There are two Junior Engineers under youwho have the responsibility of day-to-dayinspection of the site and are reporting toyou, while you are finally reporting to theChief Engineer who heads the cell. Whilethe construction is heading towardscompletion, the Junior Engineer havebeen regularly reporting that allconstruction is taking place as per designspecifications. However, in one of yoursurprise inspections, you have noticed




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18

some serious deviations and lacunarwhich, in your opinion, are likely to affectthe safety of the flyover. Rectification ofthese lacunae at this stage would requirea substantial amount of demolition andrework which will cause a tangible loss tothe contractor and will also delaycompletion. There is a lot of publicpressure on the Corporation to get thisconstruction completed because of heavytraffic congestion in the area.When you brought this matter to thenotice of the Chief Engineer, he advisedyou that in his opinion it is not a veryserious lapse and may be ignored. Headvised for further expediting the projectfor completion in time. However, you areconvinced that this was a serious matterwhich might affect public safety andshould not be left unaddressed. What willyou do in such a situation?Some of the options are given below.Evaluate the merits and demerits of eachof these options and finally suggest whatcourse of action you would like to take,giving reasons. (250 words) 20 Marks.AnswerFollow the advice of the Chief Engineer and

go ahead.

1. Make an exhaustive report of the situation

bringing out all facts and analysis along

with your own viewpoints stated clearly

and seek for written orders from the Chief

Engineer.

2. Call for explanation from the Junior

Engineer and issue orders to the

contractor for necessary correction within

targeted time.

3. Highlight the issue so that it reaches the

superiors above the Chief Engineer.

4. Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief

Engineer, seek transfer from the project

or report.

1. would be unethical to follow. Although it is

in compliance with the norms of the

organizational structure, but it violates the

ethical principles. Since the project has

been observed for severe lapses in quality,

it is unwise to carry forward with it.

2. might be appropriate from a formal

perspective, as it would make sure that the

Chief Engineer has noticed the lacunae in

the project, and still is ordering to carry on

with it. This would save the concerned

Executive Engineer from any implications.

However, from an ethical point of view, it

is highly unwise to carry on with the

project.

3. is a plausible option, as the Junior

Engineers, directing in-charge of the

project should be called for explanation for

the lapses in the project. Also, all possible

moves shall be made to make sure that the

project is completed in a stipulated

timeframe. The contractor should also be

dealt with strictly, and held answerable for

the shortcomings in the quality standards.

4. might be resorted in case the Chief

Engineer is adamant about going on with

the project. Since there would be no option




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19

left, if the Chief Engineer is adamant about

his decision, the Executive Engineer would

have to approach the superiors with a

detailed report.

5. would be an attempt to escape from the

problem, while ignoring one's moral

responsibility. Thus, it would be unethical

on the part of the Executive Engineer to

run away from his duty.

An ethical, and required course of action

would be to halt the project immediately, and

make the preparations for the re-work. Since

the matter involves public safety, it cannot be

left to chances. Any outburst from the public

shall be dealt appropriate. Also, those

responsible for the lapses in the project shall

be dealt strictly.

16. So far as child labor norms for hazardousindustries like firecrackers industry areconcerned, International LabourOrganization (ILO) has set the minimumage as 18 years. In India, however, thisage is 14 years. The units in industrialclusters of firecrackers can be classifiedinto registered and non-registeredentities. One typical unit is householdbased workThough the law is clear on the use ofchild labour employment norms inregistered/ non-registered units, it doesnot include household based works.Household based work means childrenworking under the supervision of theirparents/relative. To evade child labornorms, several units project themselves as

household-based works but employchildren from outside.Needless to say that employing childrensaves the costs for these units leading tohigher profits to the owner. On your visitto one of the units at Sivakasi, the ownertakes you around the unit which hasabout 10-15 children below 14 years of age.The owner tells you that in his household-based unit, the children are all hisrelatives. You notice that several childrensmirk, when the owner tells you this. Ondeeper enquiry, you figure out thatneither the owner nor the children areable to satisfactorily establish theirrelationship with each other.a. Bring out and discuss the ethical issuesinvolved in the above case.b. What would be your reaction after yourabove visit? (300 words) 25 marksAnswer(a) This case involves very crucial issues

relating to human and child rights.

First, there is an employment of the small

children in hazardous factories, putting their

lives under threat. This is a clear violation of

their child rights.

Secondly, since it is highly probable that the

children working in those units are not the

relatives of the owner, it might be possible

that those children have been forcefully

brought to the production centre. Thus, this

involves a case of child trafficking, which is a

criminal offense under the Indian

Constitution.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20

Thirdly, it is also highly probable that the

children are being kept forcefully under

inhuman conditions, while depriving them of

the opportunity of education and

development.

Such confinement of the minor children is

highly unethical and uncalled for. It is a clear

case of violation of the child rights as well the

fundamental rights, enshrined under our

constitution. By making the children work

under hazardous conditions, the owner of the

production unit is putting their lives in

jeopardy, while infringing every opportunity

of self-development.

(b) My reaction, as a common man, would be

to inform the owner of the unit about the

provisions of the Constitution regarding the

employment of children under hazardous

conditions. Next, I would try to know if the

children really are his relatives. On the basis

of my strong suspicion, I would report the

matter to the local police station, and request

them to make an inquiry in the matter. Also,

it would be necessary to report the matter to

the local NGOs and the Child Rights

Commission, so that an adequate enquiry

might be initiated.

As a long-term measure, I would file a PIL in

the Supreme Court regarding the

confinement of the minor children in

hazardous production units, in the guise of

relative. Also, I would write to the National

Commission for Protection of Child Rights

(NCPCR) regarding the gross violation of

child rights in the concerned region.

Also, I would also try to make an

investigation about the number of such

children employed in the domestic units in

that area.

ASSIGNMENT17. You’re an IAS aspirant, staying in a PG with

four roommates. Two of your roommates

belong to scheduled tribe and one of your

roommates is Brahmin. You belong to non-

Brahmin but backward community. Your

Brahmin roommate is finding often

inconvenience in sharing the utensils and

vessels commonly with ST roommates. Your

Brahmin roommate is economically not well

placed and hence he finds difficult to move

out of room due to cost benefit

considerations as you’re his close friend, he

often shares with you about inconvenience

staying with ST roommates.

a. What will you suggest to Brahmin

roommate? (100 Words)

b. What is your personal non-inclined

stand with respect to sharing with ST

roommates? (100 words)

18. You are a shop owner in a busy bazaar. On

one particular day, an innocent person is

being followed by a group of goondas to kill

him. He reaches your shop and asks for a safe

hidden place. The group of goondas is fully

equipped with weapons.

a. What will be your course of action in this

context?

b. In case, the individual who seeks safe

hidden at your custody is also an anti social

element, what will be your course of action?




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21

19. You are a district magistrate of a red corridor

state. On one fine day, one naxalite group has

kidnapped you. You come to understand that

your life is under threat. This naxalite group

puts certain demands to the government in

order to release you. Those demands placed

are in such a way that the government is not

ready to bow immediately, government is

trying to alter the terms and conditions.

Trying to negotiate the naxalite to dilute their

demands.

a. What do you expect the government to

do?.

b. As a district magistrate how will you handle

this situation?.

20. Your friend who is also a civil service aspirant

is staying with you in a private

accommodation. Considering his parental

poverty and his economic condition, you

started helping him to share the

accommodation without any financial

contribution towards the rental part and

boarding and lodging expenses. After some

period, you observe that he started becoming

lethargic and inconsistent in preparing for the

exam. One day he brings another person

saying his disabilities and making him stay

without paying anything. What would be your

response to this scenario?.

21. A 15 year old boy realizes that he is a

transgender and he started showing

behavioral changes of being a transgender.

His parents throw him out of the family. As a

social activist residing in that particular area,

how would you mediate between the boy and

the family?. What are your suggestions to

change the societal attitude in such cases?.

22. You are walking home from your work.

There is a railway track nearby, which

bifurcates some distance away from your

home. While on your way you notice that

four women have been tied to the tracks. A

goods train is approaching fast. Some

distance away you notice that your daughter is

walking on the other track which is actually a

bridge below which a deep gorge is located.

There is an option to save all five women by

changing the route of the train to other track.

If you do so, you will kill your daughter. Your

daughter has no escape option. She is

unaware of any of these developments as she

is walking blissfully listening to her favorite

songs from iPod from her headphones. That

track on the bridge is not used by trains

owing to some reasons. You cannot run and

untie all five women as it’s impossible to do

so without risking your life. If you do so, you

will also get killed along with the five women.

In this situation, what will you do? And

explain why.

23. Kamali recently landed a well-paying

software job in a reputed company in Pune.

She has an ambition to become a civil

servant. She is working hard towards it.

Recently she wrote the entrance for Prime

Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship

(PMRDF) and got selected as its Fellow.

Though she received better salary in the

present job, she wanted to accept the PMRD

Fellowship and work for it. She will be posted




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22

in a far away state from her present location.

The district where she will be posted is a

sensitive region severely affected by Naxal

problem. Few days ago, few civil servants and

policemen were killed by Naxals in an

ambush. Kamali’s parents do not want her to

leave the present job. Her boyfriend with

whom her marriage is fixed is also not

supporting her. She thinks that this fellowship

would equip her with skills needed to work as

an IAS officer in case she gets selected in

future. (a) If you are in Kamali’s place, what

decision will you take? Give reasons. (100

Words). (b) Do you think it’s right on her

boyfriend’s and parents’ part to say no to her

decision? Critically comment. (100 Words).

24. A man convicted for rape and murder of two

15 year old girls has been awarded death

sentence by the court. His sentence is due in

3 days. You are the in charge of the jail and

have been assigned to supervise his death

sentence. The convict becomes seriously ill

two days before he is about to be hanged.

Preliminary medical tests reveal that he has

blood cancer. Your colleagues advise you that

as he is about to be executed, the matter

should be kept as secret and the convict

should be kept in his cell. Even jail doctors

advise you the same. They also tell you that

this convict deserved such a death for his

crime. What will you do in this situation?

Explain why.

25. Anand is working as a clerk in Collector’s

office. Due to staff shortage, Anand also

performs the task of raising flag over the

office building every morning and taking it

down every evening, although it is not part of

his official job description.

One day a criminal turned politician Madan

dies. Years ago, Anand’s best friend was

murdered during a riot allegedly orchestrated

by Madan.

Nonetheless, State secretariat passes an order

to all District collectors, to keep National flag

at “half- mast” over their offices, to mourn

the death of the Mr.Madan.

Anand sees this news on TV, gets angry with

such mockery of our national flag. He decides

not to go to office next morning and keeps

the door key of roof top with himself. He is

confident, “no formal punishment can be

given to me, because this was not part of my

official duty. At most District Collector will

reprimand me informally but I don’t care

because Madan killed my best friend.” Do

you think Anand has made the right

decision?. Substantiate your answer.

case studies paper - 4 ias express – a monthly current ... · case studies paper - 4 ias express...

Documents